2002 Western States Horse Summit Expands

By Bonnie Davis

With success of the 2001 Western States Horse Summit, Rita Schlim, Coordinator, announced "Summit 2002 will expand to two full days. Over 125 people attended the 2001 Summit. After reviewing Summit Evaluations, we decided to expand to a two-day agenda to allow more time to cover the expanding environmental and political issues facing the horse industry in our 12 western states. With the two-day agenda we have additional time for questions and answers plus expanding our speakers' roster."

Summit 2002 will again be held at Cal Expo in Sacramento, California. Summit dates are Wednesday, May 29 and Thursday, May 30 with Horse Expo beginning on Friday June 1st. Horse Expo will sponsor the Western States Horse Summit.

Preceding the 'official' opening of the Horse Summit on the 29th, the California Horse Council will hold a meeting open to the public beginning at 9 am. Concluding at 11:30 am, Summit at-the-door registration will begin at Noon.

Speakers on the 29th will cover a wide range of topics including "Weed Free Feed Update", "West Nile Virus", "Zoning & Limited Equine Liability Law Update" to "HIPAA: Health Coverage for Horseman". Hors d'oeuvre will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 with the Summit closing at 9:30 pm.

Thursday, May 30th will begin at 7:00 am with Registration and Continental Breakfast. Presentations will begin at 8:30 am with Gene W. Wood, Professor of Wildlife Ecology from Clemson University, South Carolina, presenting "Equestrians as Conservationists". Other topics will follow the lunch break with a CHC Update for those that could not attend the Thursday morning meeting. Summit will conclude at 5 pm.

Summit fees will be $75 Early Bird Registration for Both Days postmarked by May 20th. Early Bird will include all Summit handouts, binder, hors d'oeuvre, continental breakfast, lunch and a free one-day pass to Horse Expo. Registration at the door on May 29th for BOTH days will be $100, which includes Summit handouts, binder, and hors d'oeuvre. A $60 One-day Summit registration for either May 29th or May 30th will be available at the door.

For Summit registration forms or additional information, contact Rita Schlim, WSHS Coordinator, 2331 Jackson St., Fremont, Ca. 94539, (510) 657-5827 or e-mail rschlim@juno.com.